Investigative Journalism in a Captured Media Ecosystem in Türkiye
JOURNALISM PRACTICE, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/17512786.2026.2679481
- Dergi Adı: JOURNALISM PRACTICE
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ComAbstracts, Communication Abstracts, EBSCO Communication Source, Communication Source (EBSCO)
- Ankara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
While the structural dimensions of media capture in T & uuml;rkiye are extensively documented, the effects of a captured media ecosystem on investigative journalism - how investigative journalists cope with, adapt to, and actively contest conditions of capture in their professional practice - remain undertheorized; this study addresses that gap. Employing phenomenological methodology, it examines the concrete implications of this captured ecosystem through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a purposefully sampled group of prominent journalists. Findings indicate that under centralized media control, investigative journalism has been structurally marginalized to under-resourced opposition and digital platforms, yet it persists despite intense personal and professional risks. The analysis reveals the operation of dual mechanisms: coercive lawfare, where frequent judicial scrutiny, prosecutions, and detentions serve as systematic intimidation, and financial capture, which mandates institutional filtering. In response, journalists purposefully develop strategic self-censorship, viewing it as a necessary operational defense to sustain their journalistic mission rather than abandoning it. Crucially, this chronic pressure has resulted in a breach of the "walls of fear," fostering resilience and positioning the field as a crucial site of individual resistance and professional struggle. Ultimately, this research underscores the constant, strategic effort required to maintain investigative reporting within highly restrictive operating conditions.